Akeso Inc. has received IND approval by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for AK-139, an IL-4Rα/ST2 bispecific antibody under investigation for a number of indications, including respiratory and skin diseases.
Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases, such as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), allergic rhinitis (AR), and asthma (AS). In the current study, researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology and affiliated organizations aimed to assess the role of the essential antioxidant enzyme, heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), in these airway diseases.
Beijing Primegene Therapeutics Co. Ltd. has synthesized Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor member X2 (MRGPRX2) antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of urticaria and asthma.
Gilead Sciences Inc. and Leo Pharma A/S have established a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of Leo’s small-molecule oral STAT6 programs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Windward Bio AG was established with plans to both license a drug and establish wet labs to create an internal pipeline of drug candidates. SR One, Omega Funds, RTW Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Quan Capital and Pivotal Bioventure Partners funded the Basel, Switzerland-based company’s $200 million series A financing round.
Deepcure Inc. has discovered potent, selective oral small-molecule inhibitors of STAT6. These next-generation STAT6 inhibitors have demonstrated promising oral bioavailability, cell permeability and metabolic stability, and do not target STAT6 for degradation.
U.K. researchers at Nottingham Trent University, the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton and product development company Zelemiq Ltd. developed a wearable sensor that accurately monitors and detects changes in people’s breathing without requiring direct contact with the skin.
An artificial intelligence-powered contactless monitoring device developed by Albus Health Ltd. can detect signs of asthma attacks in children up to five days before they occur.
Rapt Therapeutics Inc. has decided to shut down its zelnecirnon (RPT-193) program in asthma and atopic dermatitis, causing the company’s stock (NASDAQ:RAPT) to sharply decline Nov. 11.
